MWCDC has new policy for forums

April 24, 2012

The Mount Washington Community Development Corporation has set up a policy regarding conduct at public meetings.

An announcement was made at the monthly membership meeting held on April 19, which also provided a forum for state representative candidates for District 22. The new guidelines call for courtesy and respect and prohibit personal attacks and bullying.

"Screaming, cursing or other forms of bad behavior is forbidden. Threats of or actual physical force while in attendance at a MWCDC public meeting is prohibited…All public comments are timed and limited to three minutes...All persons who have preregistered shall be added to the scheduled speakers list and allotted three minutes…All persons who are not listed on the scheduled speakers list will be allowed to address the group after that list is completed."

MWCDC officers said the change was being implemented to provide better time management, organization and a safer environment. Speakers who are asked to stop after three minutes can provide a written addendum to be added to the meeting's minutes.

Present for the candidates forum were Democrat Erin Molchany of Mount Washington and Republican Chris Cratsley of Overbrook.

Ms. Molchany, a past MWCDC vice president, was executive director of the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project for the past six years. She has received a degree from Duquesne University.

Mr. Cratsley was a restaurant manager at a Burger King franchise and is now employed by BNY Mellon. He earned a master's degree in competitive intelligence systems at Robert Morris.

Martin

Schmotzer, a Democrat who served several years on the Baldwin-Whitehall school board, was unable to attend due to a family commitment.

Ms. Molchany said she received the endorsement of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's editorial board. She wants to obtain community block grants on behalf of her district. One of her top priorities is improved transportation, so young people can stay and invest in the community.

She wants to work with other officials to improve the quality of life. She also wants Harrisburg to stop cuts to public education and praised the local Whittier School for its focus on helping students. She plans to fight for investments that the area deserves.

Mr. Cratsley wants a "fresh start for the community." He is alarmed vehicle traffic will increase tremendously if the Port Authority's proposed bus route cuts occur. "I see cars backed up over Route 51 now."

He supports more tax credits for the movie companies filming in Pittsburgh. He would tell those who object to funding for Pittsburgh area projects that as a taxpayer he has paid for state projects that do not benefit him. He favors a better infrastructure, improved education and a growing economy.

MWCDC Executive Direrctor Chris Beichner made announcements, including that the organization is still asking for donations to provide hanging baskets on the Mount's streets. He said the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has "designed a basket just for us, with our own color scheme."

A dozen young adults who are temporary employees will assist the MWCDC in building trails. They will start on April 30 and work until September. Their first task will be performing maintenance on the George Washington-Guyasuta trail; their next assignment will be adding a new trail in the woods behind Olympia.

Grandview Park Community Day, featuring arts and crafts, music food and children's activities is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. June 23 at the Grandview Park entrance of Emerald View Park.

Movies in the Park, at Grandview Park, will be offered at dusk on Saturdays from June 9 through August.

Zone 3 crime statistics for March for Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights were released. Reported were: two aggravated assaults, two identity thefts, 11 thefts from persons and nine acts of criminal mischief.

Attendee Frank Rizzo, of Ulysses Street, asked for help from his neighbors that night. His pet cat has been missing for several days. Anyone with information can contact Mr. Rizzo at 412-431-1811.